Journal Through the Bible: Week 35 Tuesday

source

Judges chapter 11

Once in awhile people find reasons to start a fight when there really isn't one. The Ammonites oppressed Israel on the trumped up charge that the Children of Israel had trespassed and taken land from Ammon almost 300 years earlier. But at that earlier time of siege Israel had fought with the Amorites NOT the Ammonites.

Does God issue any commands in this chapter?
Although God had previously commanded the Israelites to sacrifice clean animals and to fulfill their vows He had NEVER required human sacrifices. Whether Jephthah carried out his vow or not is immaterial. He promised to sacrifice whatever came out first to meet him. That could just as likely have been a dog or another type of animal unsuitable for sacrifice. This vow was utterly foolish and unholy on many levels! Also, the vow was totally unnecessary because God had already promised to deliver Israel from her enemies.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak in this passage; however, He had already promised deliverance from their enemies if they would repent and seek His face.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• Whether or not Jephthah's beloved daughter was literally sacrificed as a burnt offering is a matter for theologians to debate, not I, however I think the passage is clear on the point up to and including the yearly memorial day grieving ceremonies. Either way, she gave up a life that was very precious and valuable. In that way, she is a type of the beloved Son of God Who was sacrificed (literally) for our sins and Whose death is portrayed by the burnt offerings of the Israelites.
• Jephthah himself is a type of Christ, too. He was the hated son of his father. Jesus came unto His own and His own received Him not! (See John chapter 1.)
• Jephthah is also a type of Christ because he worshiped God and sought His approval before taking on the task before him. Jesus did the same thing in the garden prior to His betrayal and subsequent task of bearing our sins.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Not that I identified.